Los Angeles Dodgers star may have absolutely zero presence at SCG

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to cause headaches for MLB organisers, with the powerhouse club considering leaving No.1 drawcard Clayton Kershaw at home for the historic season-opener at the SCG.

Just days after fellow Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke declared he had "absolutely zero excitement" for the Australian series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, coach Don Mattingly has refused to confirm whether one of the game's biggest names will be on the plane.

The LA Times reported it as "today's edition of how the Dodgers can really tick off Australia."

Kershaw signed a seven-year $US215 million contract extension in January and has been billed as the superstar who will open the season in front of an almost sold-out crowd in the first of two matches in Sydney on March 22.

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But the Dodgers are concerned about overtaxing their ace on the long trip to Australia, and may put club interests over the chance to showcase one of baseball's best talents to a new market.

Australian organisers are privately hoping two-time pitcher of the year Kershaw will make the trip, however ultimately they admit it will come down to the coach's call.

Major League officials in New York are adamant Kershaw and his wife will be in Sydney as promised unless something untoward happens to the 25-year-old during Spring training.

They say reports Kershaw will be kept on ice in LA are just rumours at this stage.

But with Kershaw due to pitch in a pre-season match in Arizona on Thursday, the Dodgers are being noncommittal over whether he'll start in Sydney.

"Everything's a possibility," Mattingly told reporters on Monday.

Asked would masking Kershaw's unavailability under the banner of a pre-season injury be a diplomatic way of avoiding ruffling feathers in Australia and at MLB headquarters, Mattingly declined to respond.

"That's a negative question," Mattingly said.

"I'll choose not to answer that question."

Mattingly said all but one member of his starting rotation was under consideration to start in Sydney.

Greinke is likely to take on the role of pantomime villain and start in one of the matches - possibly to a reception similar to that which greeted England fast bowler Stuart Broad this Ashes summer.

The MLB say the Australian series was organised in conjunction with the game's powerful players association and that clubs and athletes have been supportive of the venture all along.

According to officials, player apprehension for an out-of-country series is nothing out of the ordinary.

Due to the SCG series, the Dodgers have a shortened spring training, must travel 17 hours to Sydney and back and then play three practice matches before continuing on with the season in San Diego more than a week later.

However, as proof that player welfare is paramount, the MLB pointed to a recent example from 2012 when the Oakland A's won their division despite travelling to Tokyo to play Seattle in the opening round.